Ecochallenge.org

Drawdown Ecochallenge

October 1 - October 31, 2023

Janelle Uy

Millenial Legacy

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,194 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

0

donations

made
UP TO

835

minutes

spent exercising
UP TO

2

advocacy actions

completed
UP TO

1

conversation

with a person
UP TO

1

hour

volunteered
UP TO

875

minutes

spent learning

Janelle's actions

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Talk With a Local Grocer

Improved Fisheries

I will ask my local seafood market or grocery store if their seafood is sustainable and share the Seafood Watch resources so they can stock sustainable options.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Composting

Composting, Reduced Food Waste

I will start a compost or worm bin where I live.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Learn about Local Indigenous Practices

Indigenous Peoples' Forest Tenure

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning how local indigenous tribes are caring for the land by participating in a training, workshop, or presentation.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food, Agriculture, and Land Use

Share to Social Media: Food, Agriculture, Land Use

Food, Agriculture, & Land Use

Through social media (LinkedIn or Instagram), I will share what I've learned about Food, Agriculture, & Land Use and tag Ecochallenge.org.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Buildings

Learn about the Legacy of Redlining

Multiple Solutions

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about the legacy of redlining and how city planning and environmental justice issues are interconnected.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Tour a Green Roof

Green and Cool Roofs

I will set up a visit or a virtual tour of a green roof in my city, and ask about the codes and process for installing a green roof.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Buildings

Learn about 'Green Gentrification'

Multiple Solutions

I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about green gentrification and how it relates to city planning for climate action.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Health and Education

Connect With A Nonprofit

Family Planning and Education

I will connect with a local nonprofit working on issues affecting women, girls, trans people, and/or nonbinary people in my community, and find out how I can get involved or become a member.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

Research the Wonders of Macroalgae / Seaweed

Macroalgae Protection and Restoration

Each day, I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about protecting and restoring macroalgae/seaweed.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

Visit the Coast

Macroalgae Protection and Restoration

I will visit a coastal or ocean site to experience the ecosystem and look for the presence of macroalgae/seaweed.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

Research Bottom-Trawling Seafloor Impacts

Seafloor Protection

Each day, I will spend at least 10 minutes learning more about how bottom-trawling impacts on the seafloor.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

Learn about Biochar

Biochar Production

I will spend 30 minutes learning about biochar and how it can help sequester carbon.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

Smart Seafood Choices

Ocean Farming

I will visit seafoodwatch.org and download the app to commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks

Cook With Seaweed

Seaweed Farming

I will use seaweed in a new recipe.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Support a Community Garden

Multiple Solutions

I will support a community garden by volunteering, donating, or advocating for a new or existing one.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Land Sinks

Forest-Friendly Foods 2

Tropical Forest Restoration

I will replace or remove the palm oil, coffee, and cocoa products in my current diet that are known to contribute to deforestation.

COMPLETED 13
DAILY ACTIONS

Land Sinks

Research Peatlands

Peatland Protection and Rewetting

I will spend 30 minutes researching the environmental benefits of peatlands and what is being done around the world to conserve and restore them.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Transportation

Go for a Daily Walk

Walkable Cities

I will take a walk for 30 minutes each day and take note of the infrastructure that makes walking more or less enjoyable, accessible, and possible.

COMPLETED 24
DAILY ACTIONS

Industry

Research Cement Alternatives

Alternative Cement

I will spend at least 30 minutes researching cement alternatives that reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Learn about Carbon Offsets

I will spend 30 minutes learning about carbon offsets, and why they are a necessary solution in combating a climate crisis.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Industry

Research the Climate Impact of Refrigerants

Refrigerant Management

I will spend 45 minutes learning about the climate impact of refrigerants and what climate-friendly refrigerants are by using the links below.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More about Biomass

Biomass Power

I will spend at least 45 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More about Micro Wind

Micro Wind Turbines

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of micro wind.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More about Wave and Tidal Energy

Ocean Power

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Electricity

Learn More About Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Power

I will spend at least 60 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.

To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Talk With a Local Grocer

What did you learn from your local grocer and what did you share with them?

Janelle Uy 10/31/2023 2:48 AM

We bought salmon belly at the usual supermarket where we buy our groceries. The first person I talked to didn't know where the fish was sourced so he asked his colleague about it. The other person said the fish came from Norway. As I had no idea where salmon came from, I was surprised that it was imported from so far away. I wasn't sure if he was telling the truth, so I didn't get to ask a follow up question. I just took note of the 'brand' of the seafood that were being sold, which were mostly from NSL. When I got home, I did a research on NSL and I found out that it stands for the Norwegian Seafood Association. The salmon was really sourced from Norway, and I learned that most salmon sold in the Philippines are imported from other countries like Norway or New Zealand.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks Research the Wonders of Macroalgae / Seaweed

What did you learn about seaweed and its importance to coastal ecosystems?

Janelle Uy 10/29/2023 10:42 PM

Seaweed has immense potential to sequester CO2 from the atmosphere. I was quite thrilled to learn that the Philippines is one of the countries that has seen an impressive growth in macroalgae farming in the past years, although these are mostly low capital and near-shore interventions. I hope that these efforts scale up and that it would be the local and coastal communities that would economically and ecologically benefit from the upscaling.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food, Agriculture, and Land Use Composting

Producing food that goes uneaten squanders many resources—seeds, water, energy, land, fertilizer, hours of labor, financial capital. Which of these kinds of waste most motivates you to change your behavior regarding food waste? Why?

Janelle Uy 10/29/2023 10:22 PM

While I often look at food waste from the end of consumption perspective, this question has made me think about all the food that has not reached a consumer. I've taken part in efforts to save produce that were bound to go to waste before, due to lack of market and network, and it has always irked me that the problem continues on. I think I am most motivated by the environmental costs- the natural resources wasted into growing food such as water, the land that might have been a natural forest, but converted for agricultural use, and further degraded by excessive use of industrial fertilizers, and of course, the labor of the farmers who toiled and spent sums to grow the food, only to be sold at unfair prices and at times, at a loss. These things make me more mindful of what I eat, who and what I support, and inspire me to work hard to design solutions, no matter how small, to help resolve the problem.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks Forest-Friendly Foods 2

How difficult or easy was it to change your diet?

Janelle Uy 10/29/2023 8:53 PM

Since today is a holiday, I had the chance to cook a plant-based meal for our family. I found this quick and easy recipe online the other day and wanted to try it out because I seldom find plant-based recipes that are tomato-based. Our family has been on the plant-based track since 2021, although we went back to eating fish and meat on some days of the week, to accommodate all members' preferences and efforts.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Transportation Go for a Daily Walk

What have you noticed on your daily walks? What have you enjoyed? What infrastructure changes could make your walks more enjoyable or possible?

Janelle Uy 10/24/2023 4:17 PM

Half of the stretch of my daily walks to and from the office are along these elevated walkways. While I have the option to take a bus or a jeepney, these infrastructures have made me enjoy walking. This walkway, which is about 1 km long, allows me to enjoy the sight of trees that lace the streets of corporate Makati and breathe cleaner air as I'm not directly on the path of pollution from cars. I also meet a lot of joggers here in the morning.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Land Sinks Research Peatlands

Much of Indonesia's peatlands have been drained so they could be replaced with palm oil or pulp and paper plantations. How can you make choices that help to protect peatlands, even if you live far away from one?

Janelle Uy 10/23/2023 5:07 PM

Here in the Philippines, we have 2 peatlands that I'm aware of, the Leyte Sab-a Basin and the Agusan Marsh. I was fortunate enough to get to know these, working for an NGO whose mission is to protect forest landscapes in our country. I guess I would never have known about these otherwise, which is why since I'm in a position to help educate others as a teacher and communicator, I try to integrate what I learn as much as I can, in my job and in my daily life.

Read More
- Kerry Keck 10/23/2023 5:13 PM
  
  Thank you for serving in such a key role. Education about the issues facing us is so, so important.
  
  Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Buildings Learn about 'Green Gentrification'

Cities and towns need to plan for climate change. How can your city or town make its climate action plans equitable and socially just?

Janelle Uy 10/11/2023 4:49 PM

It's the first time I've heard of Green Gentrification and I didn't know that the phenomenon had a name. I'm fortunate to be living in a city where there are still lots of green spaces. However, the problem is that people do not appreciate it and would rather build commercial establishments in these areas. I think there is a need for balance in communities and economies so that lower income communities understand and develop a deep appreciation of nature and green spaces, which many are abundant with, whereas the wealthy should not take advantage of green spaces and amenities by raising prices in the market and displacing the locals that have been residing in these places.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks Research Bottom-Trawling Seafloor Impacts

Why is protecting the seafloor important?

Janelle Uy 10/05/2023 8:30 AM

Watching videos on YouTube regarding bottom trawling made me see the realities and magnitude of the damage caused by this fishing practice. It's sad to know that technological advances, while being used to feed the masses, are being taken advantage of by big businesses for economic gains, disregarding its effects on the seabed, and even deliberately disrespecting habitats and marine species.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Coastal, Ocean, and Engineered Sinks Smart Seafood Choices

Many states and countries have advisories on eating fish. Find out what is advised for your region. Do you think your diet choices fall within these guidelines? What steps do you need to take to make sure that they do?

Janelle Uy 10/02/2023 11:07 PM

I discovered SeafoodWatch.org and found their resources very useful as someone who consumes fish weekly. However, as the website catered primarily to US consumers, a number of fish that Filipinos typically eat are not included in the list. I was saddened to see that some species sourced from the Philippines are on the 'Avoid' list due to overfishing and poor resource management. These are critical issues that escape the public's eye and therefore continue unmonitored. Nonetheless, this inspires me to become a more mindful consumer and advocate of sustainable fishing and natural resource management.

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